There isn't a person in the world who doesn't know someone whose been dramatically affected by domestic violence....whether they're aware of it or not.

We share the journeys of three women who found themselves beaten, battered and bruised....but as Liz Hayes explains, they've escaped from their abusers and are now finding themselves smiling once again.

Davene, Elizabeth, and a woman we'll call Erica have much different experiences. But what happened to them is all too common.

Domestic violence can result in physical injury, psychological damage and sometimes, even death.

Davene, Elizabeth and Erica have all feared for their lives.

"He had told someone that if I ever went back to him, he was gonna kill me," Davene said.

"I prayed every day that I wouldn't get up the next day because I didn't know how to get out of the mess," said Erica.

Elizabeth still has fear.

"When the physical abuse happened, it was so violent, that yes now I do fear for my life," she said.

According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, almost one third of female homicides are caused by an intimate partner.

In Wisconsin in '06 and '07, domestic violence claimed 67 lives.

Most cases of domestic violence are never reported to the police, but these women took action. However, they'll never forget what happened.

Now they continue to pursue their own happiness.....and hope to inspire other women to free themselves from domestic violence.